Unfortunately, and as far as I can tell, there isn’t any real magic in the world. I’ve looked pretty hard. Music is about as close as it gets, and the Guitar is the quintessential analog instrument of our time. The thing that always struck me about the guitar was that you are able to play such a variety of musical styles and sounds. Beauty and darkness and everything in between. And the guitar has a vocal timbre that has undeniably moved humans as a species on mass. I was hooked early in life, and went on to major in music at UWSP where I studied Jazz Guitar and composition. Then I spent the better part of the next decade on the road playing shows till the wee hours of the night. I started my Phish Tribute Band: PHUN in 2009, but since having a child I’ve stuck closer to home.

I’ve been repairing guitars since owning my first strat copy at age 14. I’ve learned various electronic repair and circuit creation skills while tinkering and repairing the myriad instruments I’ve owned and played over the years.

The Covid-19 pandemic was the perfect storm of an opportunity for me to challenge myself to build my first instrument from total scratch. I ordered blocks of wood and brass rebar online, and got to work. I completed my first guitar in 2020 and I see working as a Luthier for the rest of my life: There is peace and joy in it for me. And sawdust:)

My flagship M2 model is simply the finest guitar that I can make, and it is in tribute to the Languedoc G2. Paul Languedoc is the Vermont based luthier who designs and builds guitars for Phish’s Trey Anastasio. These smaller jazz box guitars are built as acoustic instruments, and are quite loud before being plugged in. They are completely hollow, and have braced arched tops and backs, and steam bent sides. It is my mission to pay tribute to Paul with these guitars, while adding my own (and maybe your own) custom ideas to make each and every guitar that I make an individual, one-of-a kind work of art.

Although I do spend most of my time on hollow body guitars, Doug Irwin is the master Luthier behind some of Jerry Garcia’s most iconic instruments, and another personal hero of mine. Making instruments inspired by him is also a passion for me! Tigers and Wolfs and Rosebuds Oh My! Check out the Inski Lightnight Series for Irwin inspired builds.

Robert Benedetto is the last luthier I’ll mention here. He is considered by many to be the modern master of building the Jazz Guitar. I believe that many of Languedoc’s building practices were derived from Benedetto’s. But when building a jazz box instrument , Bob is who I look to for inspiration.

I’m just over here building heirloom quality instruments for discriminating guitarists. Send me an email to start a conversation about your future build, or just to chat about Phish! I love to work with people, and get to know them as musicians and artists. Music is the only real magic, so go out there and make it.

Mike Scieszinski
Luthier and Owner/Operator of inski Guitars
Musical Director of PHUN - A Tribute to Phish